In the face of the current wave of violence in Iraq and recent kidnapping of foreign nationals, many nations with troops deployed there have vowed to remain until their task is completed.

However some doubts have been expressed. Here is a selection of quotes from foreign leaders on the status of their missions in Iraq.

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda

"If innocent civilians have in fact been taken hostage, it
is unforgivable and we feel great outrage. We will demand
their immediate release."

"Since our Self-Defence Forces are providing reconstruction
support for Iraqi people, we have no reason for withdrawal."

Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini

"We are aware - more than ever before - that the
presence of the coalition, the contribution from our troops
and our civilians to bringing peace on the ground and law
and order is vital."

"To abandon the country today would not only not help to break the wave of violence, but would mean exposing the Iraqis to the very real danger of a bloody civil war between extremist factions."

Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov

"The Bulgarian contingent must remain in Karbala despite
the new situation, with additional measures to safeguard
its members' safety."

Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer

"What sort of a world would it be if we just kept walking on the other side of the world and allowed butchers and barbarians like Saddam Hussein to go around?

"Should we just turn our backs on that? I think not."

"Any right-minded person would understand that to cut and run from Iraq today would be a catastrophic thing to do in terms of the war against terrorism and trying to build a
stable and constructive Middle East."

"We should stay the course and do our best to achieve a smooth transition, or smooth as possible transition of power, to the Iraqis themselves on 30 June."

Ukrainian Deputy Chief of Staff Oleg Sibeshenko

"Peacekeepers are not meant to get involved in battle."

"Despite the difficult circumstances, we are not discussing the
question of removing our contingent from Iraq."

Kazakhstan Defence Minister Mukhtar Altynbayev

"The term of our second group [of soldiers] is running out.

"We have therefore proposed that when the term ends there will be no further contingent sent to Iraq. Matters will end there."